The Time of Year for Starting Anew?

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , ,    


Stop to think, starting anew can be life saving because it makes you focus on what's really important in life and commerce. This story is heartbreaking and inspirational at the same time, a teen telling his story via YouTube nights before his death. Titled, "This is my story - Part 1 & 2” by Ben Breedlove from Austin, Texas. Part 1 Part 2 The start of a new year can be a bit overwhelming maybe it's time to "start" differently by telling your story. Living it to the fullest, StellaPop And thanks, Ben!


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It’s All Local and Caffeinated.

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , ,    


As I was working this morning in one of my local coffee shops... Everyone entering was so happy to see each other, a pleasant morning of small talk and exchanged greetings with friends, co-workers and neighbors as they "coffee-d" up for the start of the day. You cannot re-created this kind of community at the injected molded plastic world of over stuffed couches, green paint and swing hipster music which has become a mindless ritual. Or the new coffee ritual observed by millions across the country, sitting in their cars with windows rolled down, yelling at the aluminium box as a returned barking...


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Marketing and Social Media Seeds Sprout Into Future Growth

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:     


In 2011 U.S. Small Businesses Plan to Spend More on Marketing By Using Social Media It  is not surprising that small business owners are feeling more optimistic but are they reading the marketing and advertising landscape realistically especially the social media tea leaves? I think the question really should read, Is social media the holy grail of connecting with their audience and creating a compelling message? SocialMediaDigest says this, According to the Ad-ology 2011 Small Business Marketing Forecast, small business owners are increasingly optimistic overall, and 46% plan increased...


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The DC Goodwill Mobile App – Design and Content Concepts by Stella Pop Marketing

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , ,    


The Goodwill of Greater Washington mobile app has successfully been delivered and launched! The DC Goodwill mobile app is a first for any Goodwill nationwide and the best part, it's ready for download at your local iTunes store! Go ahead give a little and feel the power of community! It's been all about the team. Every successful marketing project is all about the team and this project was no exception everyone involved worked tirelessly to surpass all conceivable expectation bring our design and content concepts to life, a special thanks goes out to everyone involved. Please don't let me forget...


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At Least They’re Talking? The Gaps New Logo.

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


Hi. I'm the new logo and I work at the Gap. It seems most of you hate me. I gotta get a new gig and NO this isn't the phone company. Message from Marka Hansen - President - Gap North America This past Monday, without a lot of fanfare, we introduced a new logo on our gap.com site, and I wanted to take this opportunity to explain our thinking behind this decision. I've been president at Gap brand for the past three years, and I've been living and breathing the changes we've been making on our journey to make Gap more relevant to our customers. You've seen this evolution through...


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Creativity and Complexity – Viewpoint from 1500 Leaders Worldwide

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


First let me thank IBM for committing to excellence and curiosity. This is their work and it's probably the best "thing" you'll read this year and the shortest at 76 pages but worth every moment you spend. Enjoy! Here's what the site Design Mind (thanks and love the site) had to say and where I originally found the link to this report, I guess I'll call it a white paper but it's so much more. IBM has just released its fourth annual survey based on 1500 face-to-face interviews with global CEOs. Past studies have been rich sources of understanding the trends that company leaders are seeing...


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Apps and Advertising – It’s Raining Sales

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , ,    


It seems that it's raining sales from advertising place on apps. From MediaPost Blogs, "App Ads Precipitate Sales" by Jack Loechner A recent study from mobile audience media company JiWire revealed that, of the roughly 1,000 smartphone users surveyed, 52% claim they have acted on an advertisement in an app and 18% have made a purchase directly from an ad in an app in the last month. Their new report "examines device use, consumer adoption of Wi-Fi and consumer preferences for mobile content and advertising delivery." 55% of the on-the-go audience owns an app-enabled smartphone or mobile...


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Newspapers Enters A New Phase But I Have A Question?

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


Please hear me, I still believe this is a capitalistic country and if you produce "it," you have every right to charge for the sweat of your labor. But it's extremely difficult when you first give it away to later start charging especially after years of giving it away under an advertising model. Look at the Wall Street Journal, they made pay online subscription a part of their model from the beginning and no one complained, if you wanted the WSJ it cost you - period. I have a question, if I pay for content am I not entitled to receive it un-encumbered without advertising? Here are some...


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Content Marketing – Can iPad Save Newspapers And Magazines?

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , ,    


Remember that post a few months ago about iPad and the Apple new content delivery system, "Direct to Device - iContent By Apple," well here's a great follow up look at two areas of content and the iPad. cNet and PaidContent dot org By Rafat Ali Apr 17, 2010 12:50 AM ET "Can iPad Save Newspapers & Magazines?" Yesterday I was part of CNET’s Reporters’ Roundtable, talking about the in-vogue topic of whether iPad will be a savior of newspapers and magazines. Moderated by Rafe Needleman, editor of CNET’s Webware, it included Damon Darlin, the technology editor of News York Times,...


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Can Animated Video Capture A Company’s Global Vision?

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


I found this little gem at InformationWeek - Global CIO Blog, the piece was written by Bob Evans, Senior VP - Global CIO. Here's the video - enjoy! Can a 5-minute animated video capture a technology company's global vision? IBM's "The Internet Of Things" YouTube clip is inspiring and compelling and the sort of fresh thinking more tech companies should try, although I did crack up during the final segment as some massively Deepak-Choprah-overdosed guy buzzes about what the planet is saying and the universe is hearing. Most of the animated video is a spirited mix of voice-overs describing...


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Twitter’s New Monetization Platform – Coming Soon

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


Twitter's new monetization platform is coming soon to a tweet near you. It seems that twitter's co-founder, Biz Stone was on CNBC and spilled the beans on a coming so called non-advertising methodology for Twitter, that will be rolled out later this month. Via Silicon Alley Insider - At the 1:50 mark, CNBC anchor Michelle Caruso-Cabrera says (paraphrasing), 'I use UberTwitter, which sends me ads that look like Tweets. Are you getting a cut of that ad revenue?' Biz says no. But, he adds: We're going to roll out something we think appropriate not just for Twitter users but also for the ecosystem...


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Dream Without Boundaries

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:     


Click the Pic for The Music Video Prize at YouTube Buy A Download And Make A Donation to Goodwill. Helping People with A Hand Up, Not A Hand Out.


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Are You Wave Willing To Catch The Wave? Google’s Wave.

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


About Google Wave Google Wave is an online tool for real-time communication and collaboration. A wave can be both a conversation and a document where people can discuss and work together using richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps, and more. What is a wave? A wave is equal parts conversation and document. People can communicate and work together with richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps, and more. A wave is shared. Any participant can reply anywhere in the message, edit the content and add participants at any point in the process. Then playback lets anyone rewind the wave...


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10,741 Tips On How To Get Your Shorts Whiter and Your Teeth Brighter

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


Don't get me wrong by reading at my title but I love lists all those pages full of life saving advice, neatly listed out for my convenience. I lov'em and I don't use the word love lightly or often but I'm in love with all those cute lists, as much as any online tip-hound but things are getting a little out of hand. Look at these search results - "Tips on how too..." providing 329 million tip lists in 0.29 seconds. Or these results - "10 Things..." providing 438 million lists of 10 things in 0.67 seconds. That Google search thing is really incredible and I hope it takes off one day without...


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25 Ways to Reboot Brainpower & Add Innovation

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


Don't say at Stella Pop, we don't provide instant and creative solutions to your everyday business obstacles. Found this list at Wellsphere and loved it, here it is for you. Use it and prosper: 1. Invent and share a refreshing solution to a stubborn work problem – solve a  difficulty that leaves you bored or in a rut at work. Brain fact: Boredom is more a habit formed in brains, and shaped by daily choices,  then stored in brain as a reality. 2. Uplift your work area with natural lighting.  Brain fact: Environments influence brainpower, and a healthy workplace inspires people...


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Innovation Deficit Disorder

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


Eric Schmidt of Google fame writes that the model for innovation in America has to change from a top down trickle method to a bottom up via the availability of information online. This sounds about right to me and we better get working fast to cultivate and nurture our entrepreneur spirit in this country. Eric Schmidt -- Washington Post -- February 2010 Google CEO Eric Schmidt to newspapers: Innovate Your Way Out More than ever, innovation is disruptive and messy. It can't be controlled or predicted. The only way to ensure it can flourish is to create the best possible environment -- and then...


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Communicating Your Brand Message – A Quirky Video That Connects

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


Every business has a special message that can stimulate an audience to connect with you. Here's a great example of a quirky film with some big names stars and it serves as the perfect example of the online video content possibilities for any business: It's a simple storyline and could apply to any business or brand message providing a little clever creativity and cunning brand message delivery system. Think about it, every business I ever meet had a funny story or situation that could translate into a simple and video short that might get there (clients and client prospects) attention? StellaPop...


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Don’t Read These Best Business Books – You Might Find Marketing Success!

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


I know finding time to read is getting tougher and tougher especially if your an entrepreneur or business person hustling to beat your competitors and the economy. I'll make it easy for you with a list of must reads which will bring your marketing, advertising, social media, creative initiatives and branding up to speed, thinking and on the path toward marketing success: 1. Get Content, Get Customers by Joe Pulizzi and Newt Barrett - Junta42.com Marketing is moving online at a breakneck pace. Several research firms now forecast that the Internet will become the world’s dom- inant advertising...


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Idea Economy

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


I believe we are living in a moment in history when those with the ideas, will be far ahead of those that just do jobs. Want to make more money, advance your career and prepare for the future - get creative or find an organization with the desire to challenge and chase the creation of ideas. Make sure of one thing, that this organization creating ideas - delivers. The Economist believes that the world is governed by ideas. Because human progress relies on the advancement of good ideas, we are launching a new series of events that brings together top thinkers from around the world to discuss...


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Stella Pop Plays Guess The Highway Signs!

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


I grew up traveling all over the United States and we drove that fire engine red Ford LTD with tan leather interior everywhere. I better come clean now with my dad. Dad sorry it was me who unlaced all the leather stitched rear seats. I'm sorry, it was just to much to resist and I was tired of looking at the Wyoming country side. Have fun with this one! I bet you can't get them all? Signage is such a powerful branding tool and a good sign or logo lasts in your audience or clients sub-conscious forever. Guess That Highway Sign! From Fast Company BY WILLIAM BOSTWICK Photographer Josef Schulz...


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Direct to Device – iContent by Apple

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


Apple quite possibly is about to dominate another of the online arena - content delivered directly to a device. The iPad could be another game changer for Apple by creating an iTunes like interface which customers will customized content for daily delivery. I expect in the next two or three years a new online store from Apple, "iContent" which will be geared toward delivering content directly to consumers via the new device - iPad. Bye-Bye - no more newspapers, magazines or websites except maybe through Apples portal, site, store or cloud. Microsoft and Google better get their stuff together,...


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What is Twitter? The New World Wide Guide

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


Twitter is the shortest and most direct connection to the what's going on in the world - a world wide guide. When you set up your follows, you find the topics, people and ideas that interest whether it's for today or forever and your tweet-in-box gets filled with everything you 'might' want to read, watch or scan. Twitter is the new TV Guide. It's a new World Wide Guide to everything! Think on this from Bing Twitter - Today's World Wide Guide: ShiNee Avatar Lady Gaga Miss America Mass Effect 2 iPhone Check out Mashable on Twitter, The average Twitter user doesn’t...


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What The Hell Are You Saying – Seth Godin

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


I've read a whole big bunch of Seth Godin books and today after starting another "Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?" It made me think, what the hell is he trying to say in all of them? Is there a common thread? I don't definitively know but I think there is and it's incredibly simple. Here's what I think he's saying: Start Simplify Once you start - do it Finish The cycle of creativity begins again You cannot avoid risk, nor do you want too Where do I sign up? I know what most people are saying at this point but I'm not a creative person and I've got a mortgage. I'm an account,...


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Mind Blowing Social Media Statistics

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


This information on "Mind Blowing Social Media Statistics" comes from Econsultancy dot com and was posted by Jake Hird. It’s around six months since I last threw out some truly mindboggling pieces of data surrounding social media. So, what’s happened between then and now? I try to put as much information as I can into Econsultancy’s Social Media Statistics, which is part of our Stats Compendium (a truly awesome resource) but I find it’s always interesting to go back and review the old against the new. So, I’ve collected as much as I can from my previous insane snippets...


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Stella Pop, Kokayi and Ms. DC Partnered with Goodwill – Hit The Studio

Posted by: Michael S O'Grady    Tags:  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    


DC's Grammy Nominee Kokayi, Partners with Ms. DC and Goodwill of Greater Washington. Across The Fader dot com Published on January 8, 2010, 12:24 PM By Drea M. Music is a no holds barred industry. Whether this power is used for good or evil is subject to respective digression, but the local music scene in Washington, DC making good - collaborating unlikely elements and stumbling upon undiscovered genres. Some might say it’s already been done, but melding Hip-Hop and opera has not yet been done successfully, until now. The qualified participants of this latest Hip-Hopera rendition,...


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